ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Labour & Employment
ESIC to Allow Non - IPs to Avail Medical Services from its Underutilized Hospitals
Recruitment of Around 5200 Various Posts in ESIC Under Way
The ESI Corporation during its 176th meeting held on 05.12.18 under the Chairmanship of Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour & Employment  has taken some very important decisions towards improvements in its service delivery mechanism.
In the meeting, It was decided to allow Non-IPs  to avail medical services from underutilized ESIC Hospitals after levying User Charges at a subsidized cost of Rs. 10/- for OPD Consultation, at 25% of CGHS package rates for admitted patients and to provide medicines on actual rate initially for one year on pilot basis. It will immensely help common people get the quality medical care at very low cost. Besides, it will ensure full utilization of resources of hospital for people’s cause.
Recruitment to the 5200 posts in various categories like Social Security Officer, Insurance Medical Officer Grade-II, Junior Engineers, Teaching Faculty, Paramedical & Nursing Cadre, UDC and Steno etc. in ESIC is under process.
To meet the shortage of specialist/super specialist doctors in some of the ESIC Hospitals, the ESIC approved for hiring of full time contractual specialists/super specialists in the department of Anaesthesia, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gyne, Ortho, Cardiology, Nephrology and Medical Oncology after inviting open tender.
Keeping in view the rise in the National Floor Level Minimum Wages to Rs. 176/-, it was decided in the meeting to Enhance the exemption limit for payment of employees’ share of contribution from Rs. 137 to Rs. 176.
Shri Heera Lal Samaria, Secretary, Labour & Employment, Sh. Raj Kumar, Director General, ESIC, ESIC representatives of Employees and Employers and ESI Corporation Members, representatives of state govts. and senior officers of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Sexual Harassment Complaints in Central Ministries
The Ministry of Women and Child Development  has developed an online complaint portal titled Sexual Harassment Electronic Box  to facilitate the registration of complaints related to sexual harassment of women at work place. Once a complaint is registered in the SHe-Box, it directly reaches the concerned authority having jurisdiction to take action in the matter. The responsibility to take action on such complaints as well as to ensure updating of status in that regard on SHe Box, is with the concerned Central Ministries/ Departments.
As of now, total 391 complaints have been received in the SHe-Box pertaining to various Central Ministries, out of which 150 complaints have been received since 01.01.2020. Action on the complaints lodged in SHe Box is the responsibility of the concerned Ministry/ Department as per laid down procedure. Analysis of the 36 cases lodged at SHeBox and shown against MWCD shows that amongst them, there are only 2 cases of sexual harassment of women at workplace, with 3 entries on the portal pertaining to complaint from same person against same individual. The other 32 cases are in the nature of public grievances on various matters relating to violence against women, dowry harassment, misbehaviour, suggestions etc. Further, neither of the 2 cases of sexual harassment of women at workplace appearing in the portal against MWCD pertain to a workplace of the Ministry.
Safety and security of women in the country including providing a safe and secure environment at workplace is of utmost priority for the Government. Keeping this in view, the Government has enacted “The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace  Act, 2013”  which aims to provide protection to women against sexual harassment at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints related to it for all women, irrespective of their age, employment status or nature of work whether working in public or private, organised or unorganised sector.
The Act casts an obligation upon employers of all workplaces, public or private, to provide a safe and secure working environment free from sexual harassment, whereby every employer is mandated to constitute an Internal Committee  where the number of employees/ workers is ten or more and also for constitution of Local Committees at District level.
MWCD has issued advisories to States/ UTs and the Central Ministries/ Departments from time to time for strict implementation of the Act so as to create women friendly work environment..
This information was given by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves agreement between India and Philippines on co-operation and mutual assistance in customs matters
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing and ratifying of an Agreement between India and Philippines on co-operation and mutual assistance in customs matters.
The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences. The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.
This Agreement shall enter into force after the necessary national legal requirements for entry into force of this Agreement have been fulfilled by both the countries.
Background:
The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries. It would help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade. The draft text of the proposed Agreement has been finalized with the concurrence of the two Customs Administrations. The draft Agreement takes care of Indian Customs' concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value declared and authenticity of certificates of origin of the goods traded between the two countries.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Promotion of Forestry
The National Forest Policy  1988 envisages the national goal to have a minimum of one- third of the total land area under forest or tree cover and two-third of the area under such cover in the hill and mountainous regions of the country. In consonance with NFP, 1988, the Ministry has been taking several initiatives for promoting forestry including fallow lands. The Ministry is implementing, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, National Mission for a Green India  on landscape approach also covers fallow lands in which appropriate interventions as applicable are taken up by the concerned implementing agencies
Government is implementing several schemes/programmes to combat desertification through increasing forest cover. Various afforestation related schemes implemented by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change  and other ministries aim at increasing and improving forest and tree cover. MoEF&CC supports the States/Union Territories for carrying out various afforestation activities through Centrally Sponsored Scheme for conservation, development and promotion of forests under its major schemes namely, National Mission for a Green India  and Forest Fire Protection & Management Scheme . Compensatory afforestation under CAMPA has also been used to increase forest cover across the country. State Governments also implement various schemes for restoration of degraded forest areas.
Mangroves are the first line of defence for coastal communities. They stabilize shorelines by slowing erosion and provide natural barriers protecting coastal communities from increased storm surge, flooding, and hurricanes. The Government of India has taken steps to protect sustain, conserve and augment forests in the country through promotional as well as regulatory measures. The promotional measures are being implemented through a Central Sector Scheme under National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’. Under this programme, annual Management Action Plan  for conservation and management of mangroves are formulated and implemented in all the coastal States and Union Territories.
The Government under Centrally sponsored scheme for conservation & Management of Mangroves, extend assistance to Coastal State/UTs for implementation of action plans including survey and demarcation, alternation and supplementary livelihood, protection measures and education and awareness activities. The Ministry piloted an Integrated Coastal Zone management Project in Coastal stretches of three states namely Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal, with objective of Conservation and Protection of Coastal resources which included plantation of mangroves as one of the major activities.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets all Gujaratis on Gujarati new year
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted all Gujaratis on the occasion of Gujarati New Year. He wished that the new year brings happiness, prosperity, health and progress in everyone's life.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said :
"સૌ ગુજરાતીઓને નવા વર્ષની હૃદયપૂર્વકની શુભકામનાઓ…!!
આજથી પ્રારંભ થતું નવું વર્ષ….આપના જીવનમાં સુખ અને સમૃદ્ધિનો ઉજાસ પાથરે, આરોગ્ય નિરામય રહે તથા પ્રગતિના નવા સોપાન સર કરનારું બની રહે એવી અંતઃકરણ પૂર્વકની મનોકામના સાથે નૂતન વર્ષાભિનંદન.....॥"
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Meeting of National Selection Committee to Select Awardees for National Awards for Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities Postponed Due to Prevaling Situation of Pandemic Covid-19
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are conferred on the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ in recognition of the contributions/skills of persons with disabilities and also in recognition of the contribution made by Government organizations/ institutions and the private entities in the field of empowerment of persons with disabilities on 3rd December every year. Accordingly, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice & Empowermenthad issued an advertisement dated 25th July, 2020 inviting applications for the National Awards, 2020.Applications/nominations have been received by this Department.
Consequently, the selection process has to be undertaken in a detailed manner by examination of documents and records submitted by the applicants. Thereafter, it needs to be placed before the National Selection Committee. Accordingly, the meeting of the National Selection Committee had been scheduled to be held on 01.12.2020. However, this meeting has now been postponed due to prevailing situation on account of Covid 19 pandemic. Once the situation improves, the meeting of the National Selection Committee will be held for taking up this exercise under intimation to the public through a prior notice.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
143.83 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 82,402
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.24%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.38%
7,486 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,42,58,778
13,154 new cases in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate  less than 2% for last 87 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 1% for last 46 days
67.64 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Statewise status of Omicron Variant
|
|
S. No.
|
|
State
|
|
No. of Omicron Cases
|
|
Discharged/Recovered/Migrated
|
|
1
|
|
Delhi
|
|
263
|
|
57
|
|
2
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
252
|
|
99
|
|
3
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
97
|
|
42
|
|
4
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
69
|
|
47
|
|
5
|
|
Kerala
|
|
65
|
|
1
|
|
6
|
|
Telangana
|
|
62
|
|
10
|
|
7
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
45
|
|
24
|
|
8
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
34
|
|
18
|
|
9
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
16
|
|
1
|
|
10
|
|
Haryana
|
|
12
|
|
2
|
|
11
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
11
|
|
1
|
|
12
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
9
|
|
7
|
|
13
|
|
Odisha
|
|
9
|
|
1
|
|
14
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
4
|
|
0
|
|
15
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
3
|
|
2
|
|
16
|
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
17
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
18
|
|
Goa
|
|
1
|
|
0
|
|
19
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
20
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
21
|
|
Manipur
|
|
1
|
|
0
|
|
22
|
|
Punjab
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
||
|
Total
|
|
961
|
|
320
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah pays tributes to Jagadguru Basavanna on his birth anniversary today
Jagadguru Basavanna’s spirituality paved the way to create a fair and equitable society
His sublime wisdom of seeing divinity in every human being continues to guide India's democratic values and our path in service to people
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah pays tributes to Jagadguru Basavanna on his birth anniversary today.
In his tweet, Shri Amit Shah said, that “I bow to Jagadguru Basavanna on his birth anniversary, whose spirituality paved the way to create a fair and equitable society. His sublime wisdom of seeing divinity in every human being continues to guide India's democratic values and our path in service to people.”
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
3rd Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrated
Doctors should prescribe generic medicine to help poor patients – Prakash Javadekar
Campaign to start for doctors to prescribe generic medicine
Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar today said that doctors should prescribe generic medicines to help poor people. Except for complicated disease where there is need for specific formulas, for other ailments the use of generic medicine should be encouraged. Speaking on the occasion of 3rd Jan Aushadhi Diwas in Pune he announced to start a campaign for doctors to popularise the use of generic medicine in the country.
Mr. Javadekar visited a Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Jan Aushdhi Kendra in Kothrud , Pune and attended the Prime Minister’s live telecast interaction from Shilong.
He also interacted with the doctors and beneficiaries at the centre. Mr. Javadekar said that Prime Minister has launched world’s biggest Health Insurance scheme which is helping 50 crore Indians. The cost of medicines at these Jan Aushadhi stores is 60 to 70 percent cheaper than market price. The prices of over 500 medicines have been reduced.
He further said that even the major operations like heart stent and Knee replacement can be done at much lesser cost under this scheme. This scheme has reduced the cost of medicines so much that people call it Modi’s shop of cheap medicines. The scheme which started with only 100 Kendras has now 7500 Kendras. Jammu and Kashmir has become First state to give free health services to residents irrespective of their income, said the Minister. The country has 50,000 wellness centres now which provide facilities like Yoga and exercise training etc. soon there will be 1.5 lakh such centres, he added. He pointed out that, due to Prime Minister's vision these generic medicines are now available in various places and people are taking advantage of it.
Ministry of Finance
UAE Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri meets Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, United Arab Emirates made a courtesy call on Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister in New Delhi, today. Both sides discussed the strong economic and commercial engagement between the India-UAE and the comprehensive strategic partnership which is driving the multifaceted bilateral relations.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri and a high-level UAE delegation are in New Delhi for India-UAE Economic Partnership Summit – “India-UAE CEPA: Unleashing the Golden Era”. Such regular exchanges and bilateral meetings further deepen India’s engagement and harness newer areas while maximally exploiting the existing institutional arrangements.
Ministry of Finance
Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur assures all support for Mission Olympics Cell and National Sports Federation
Minister dedicates to nation new multi-purpose indoor stadium at SAI, Bengaluru;
Says budget allocation for Sports & Youth Affairs has registered more than three-time jump.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Shri Anurag Singh Thakur has assured to extend all support needed for the Mission Olympics Cell and National Sports Federation going ahead. The Minister today inaugurated and dedicated to the nation new multipurpose indoor stadium at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru. He lauded athlete Akashdeep Singh, Priyanka Goswami and many alike players for qualifying in various international sporting events.
SAI Bengaluru is one of the premier institutions and home to champions like Dhanraj Pille, Pulela Gopi Chand, Anju Bobby George and many more . The centre boasts of 50 Olympians and 50 Medallions in international events. The centre will add a 630-bed capacity hostel for boys and girls in the next two months.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur noted that the Sports and Youth Affairs budget for 2023-24 has risen to 3397 crore rupees as against 964 crore rupees in 2014, registering more than three times jump.
SGR/SP/PGP
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal participates in the 7th BRICS Industry Ministers’ meeting
India to launch BRICS Startup Forum in 2023 for facilitating collaboration among startups, investors, incubators and aspiring entrepreneurs: Shri Piyush Goyal
Shri Piyush Goyal reiterates India’s commitment to "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" as a responsible global citizen
BRICS Industry Ministers re-emphasize on need for digitalization, industrialization, innovation, inclusiveness and investment among BRICS countries
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal participated in the “7th BRICS Industry Ministers’ meeting” hosted virtually with South Africa as the Chair yesterday. Shri Goyal announced that India will be launching the BRICS Startup Forum in 2023 with the goal of facilitating collaboration and sharing best practices among startups, investors, incubators, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Shri Piyush Goyal, while highlighting the transformation that has taken place in India, also commented on the expanding Startup India initiative that has led to the creation of nearly 100,000 startups in the country. The Minister focused on “Transforming Production Systems” and the support India can offer to other BRICS members and the wider international community.
Shri Piyush Goyal reiterated India’s commitment to "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"  which underscores India's commitment to being a responsible global citizen and working towards a more inclusive, tolerant and interconnected world.
The Industry Ministers of other BRICS countries  also attended the meeting and the Joint Declaration was adopted.
The Ministers re-emphasized on the need for digitalization, industrialization, innovation, inclusiveness, and investment among BRICS countries. They recognized the increasing importance of Industry 4.0 and other emerging technologies in promoting digital transformation of all economic sectors. Through the declaration, the BRICS members acknowledged the need for human resource development and exploring opportunities for cooperation on upskilling and reskilling programs.
The Ministers reiterated their commitment to deepen industrial cooperation and expedite the recovery and growth of the Industrial Economy through jointly creating an open, fair, vibrant, resilient and non-discriminatory environment.
The Ministers recognized the key role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  and the importance of their integration and diversification into global industrial chains, supply chains and value chains. The Ministers also underlined the need for creating market opportunities within the BRICS countries for inclusive growth of projects owned/managed by women, youth and disadvantaged groups.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Rail and Road Connectivity to Ports
All Major Ports in the country are connected by rail and by 4 Lane Road or National Highway. As per the information received from State Governments, out of the 66 Ports other than Major Ports  handling cargo, 13 are connected by rail while 24 are connected by 4 Lane Road / National Highway.
The details of ports in the country, State wise, handling products viz. coal, cement, fertilizers, petroleum and petrochemical products is annexed [ Annexure].
Out of the total cargo traffic of 1129.63 Million Tonnes handled at Indian Ports in the year 2022-23, ports in the State of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh handled 493.85 Million Tonnes and 133.32 Million Tonnes respectively.
Annexure
|
|
S.No
|
|
State / UTs
|
|
No of ports handling coal
|
|
No of ports handling fertilizers,
|
|
No of ports handling cement
|
|
No of pots handling petroleum and petrochemical products
|
|
1
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
15
|
|
6
|
|
7
|
|
9
|
|
2
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
7
|
|
3
|
|
5
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
Goa
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
|
0
|
|
1
|
|
4
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
5
|
|
Kerala
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
6
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
7
|
|
7
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
8
|
|
Odisha
|
|
3
|
|
2
|
|
0
|
|
1
|
|
9
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
10
|
|
Pudducherry
|
|
1
|
|
0
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
11
|
|
A& NI
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
9
|
|
2
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Army launches first Technology Node at Pune
To boostindigenous defence production and facilitate interaction with Industry, Indian Army’s Southern Command formally launched the first Regional Technology Node  at Pune at an event held on 02 Nov 2021.It also included conduct of a Start-up forum by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers .
The event was organized by Headquarters Southern Command in conjunction with the SIDM. Held in hybrid mode, the event was live streamed and attended by heads and representatives of more than 100 industries, Start-ups and Army establishments from across the country. Delivering the Keynote Address, Lt Gen JS Nain, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C Southern Command, emphasised upon the timely absorption of cutting edge technologies for military modernisation, achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the role of Indian industry in the same. He exhorted the industry to come forward with their proposals and become a partner in the process. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Mr Jayant D Patil, President SIDM, Maj Gen Kirti Jauhar, VSM, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, Mr S P Shukla, Vice President SIDM, Mr Abhishek Jain, Chairman, SIDM Start-up Forum and Col Rajinder Singh Bhatia , President &CEO Defence, Bharat Forge Limited.
Keeping in step with Atmanirbharata and Make in India push of the Government, the Ministry of Defence and the Army havetaken large strides in indigenisation of defence equipment with the aim of reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and eventually emerge as an export hub for defence goods. With the Launch of the RTN at Pune, the reach of Army Design Bureau has been extended to the tech hubs of the Southern region. This will encourage industries, MSMEs and Start-ups to come forward & propose solutions for the Army’s modernisation requirements.